To the editor:
Start saving for your fiscal year 2017 County tax increase. It’s coming!
The Hillsborough County Delegation has approved the amount of $53,086,847 to be raised by taxes; it represents an increase of nearly $7 million over fiscal year 2014.
It’s not an easy exercise to discern what, if any, additional benefits have come to fruition that have improved our county government through the collection of the added millions of dollars but very noticeable is the impending consequence of decade long budgeting trend, which now readies its aim at county taxpayers, especially those on fixed incomes. According to the data made available by independent audit reports, the county has maintained an undesignated fund (reserves) that allows for the management of cash flow. As recent as the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, the balance exceeded $21.2 million dollars. For fiscal year 2009, it was decided that $6.4 million of the reserves would be used to stabilize the county’s tax rate. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, the reserve balance had shrunk to $3 million dollars.
Now, we are left with two problems; a sharp depletion in the reserve and sharp increase in taxes. This is not a good place to be. Moving forward, the real solutions do not have to be the consequence of punishing taxes, depleted reserves, nor catastrophic cuts in services. We know that status quo governance is not addressing our immediate needs nor preparing us for future challenges. I firmly believe our challenges can be overcome by the combined benefits of new leadership, fresh perspective, and proven success, which is why I am a candidate for Hillsborough County Commissioner, District 3. To learn more about my candidacy, please visit www.lenmannino.com.
Len Mannino
Milford